determining text complexity 4 step process

Determining Text Complexity

A Four Step Process

A Four-step Process:

Determining Text Complexity

4. Recommend placement in the appropriate text complexity band.

3. Reflect upon the reader and task considerations.

2. Analyze the qualitative measures of the text.

1. Determine the quantitative measures of the text.

Measures such as:• Word length• Word frequency• Word difficulty• Sentence length• Text length• Text cohesion

Step 1: Quantitative Measures

Step 1: Quantitative Measures

The Quantitative Measures Ranges for Text Complexity:This document outlines the suggested ranges for each of the text complexity bands using:

1. Lexile Text Measures

---or---

2. ATOS Book Levels (Accelerated Reader)

Resources for Accessing

Quantitative Measures of Text

Quick handout documenting the availability of resources. Including:

• Lexile

• ATOS book level

• Additional measures

• Readability formulas

Step 1: Quantitative Measures

Step 1: Quantitative Measures

Let’s imagine we want to see where a text falls on the quantitative measures “leg” of the text complexity triangle, using either the Lexile text measure or the ATOS book level (or both).

For illustrative purposes, let’s choose Harper Lee’s 1960 novel To Kill a Mockingbird.

Finding a Lexile Measure for Text: http://www.lexile.com/findabook/

Step 1: Quantitative Measures

7

8

Step 1: Quantitative Measures

9

Step 1: Quantitative Measures

For texts not in the Lexile database, consider using the Lexile Analyzer:

http://www.lexile.com/analyzer/

• Registration is required (free) http://www.lexile.com/account/register/

• Allows user to receive an

―estimated‖ Lexile score

• Accommodates texts up to 1000

words in length

• Texts of any length can be

evaluated using the Professional

Lexile Analyzer—educators can

upgrade to this tool for free by

requesting access http://www.lexile.com/account/profile/access/

Step 1: Quantitative Measures

11

Finding a ATOS Book Level for Text: http://www.arbookfind.com/

Step 1: Quantitative Measures

12

Step 1: Quantitative Measures

13

Step 1: Quantitative Measures

For texts not in the AR Bookfinder database, consider using The ATOS Analyzer:

http://www.renlearn.com/ar/overview/atos/

• No registration is required (however, you must provide an email address to receive results)

• Three methods of analysis are available:1. ATOS for Books – for submitting

complete text of a book

2. ATOS for Books with Estimated

Word Count – does not require full

text, just three 150-word passages

3. ATOS for Text– works well for

short, full-text submissions (short

stories, magazine/newspaper articles, etc.)

Step 1: Quantitative Measures

15

Lexile Text Measure:

ATOS Book Level:

870L

5.6

In which of the text complexity bands would this novel fall?

Step 1: Quantitative Measures

17

Remember, however, that the quantitative measures is only the first of three “legs” of the text complexity triangle.

Our final recommendation may be validated, influenced, or even over-ruled by our examination of qualitative measures and the reader and task considerations.

Step 1: Quantitative Measures

Measures such as:• Levels of meaning• Levels of purpose• Structure• Organization• Language conventionality• Language clarity• Prior knowledge demands

Step 2: Qualitative Measures

Step 2: Qualitative Measures

The Qualitative Measures Rubrics

for Literary and Informational Text:

The rubric for literary text and the rubric for informational text allow educators to evaluate the important elements of text that are often missed by computer software that tends to focus on more easily measured factors.

Because the factors for literary texts are different from information texts, these two rubrics contain different content. However, the formatting of each document is exactly the same.

And because these factors represent continua rather than discrete stages or levels, numeric values are not associated with these rubrics. Instead, four points along each continuum are identified: high, middle high, middle low, and low.

Step 2: Qualitative Measures

Step 2: Qualitative Measures

Questions to Consider in Planning for Instructional Scaffolding

On the back side of each rubric is list of springboard questions to help educators begin thinking about the kinds of instructional scaffolding the text may also require.

So…

How is the rubric used?

And how would To Kill a Mockingbird fare when analyzed through the lens of the Literary Text Rubric?

Step 2: Qualitative Measures

23

Lexile Text Measure:

ATOS Book Level:

870L

5.6

From examining the quantitative measures, we knew:

But after reflecting upon the qualitative measures, we believed:

Step 2: Qualitative Measures

Reader and Task

Our initial placement of To Kill a Mockingbird into a text complexity band changed when we examined the qualitative measures.

Remember, however, that we have completed only the first two legs of the text complexity triangle.

The reader and task considerations still remain.

Step 2: Qualitative Measures

Activity #4: Your Turn!Using the rubrics for literary and informational text, analyze the qualitative measures of the following titles:

• “My Grandmother’s Hair” (literary text)—1130L

• “Lather, Rinse, Donate” (informational text)—1390L

Discuss your results as a small group.

You will be sharing your marked rubric with the

larger group in the next activity!

Step 2: Qualitative Measures

Step 3: Reader and Task Considerations

Considerations such as:• Motivation• Knowledge and experience• Purpose for reading• Complexity of task assigned

regarding text• Complexity of questions

asked regarding text

Step 3: Reader and Task Considerations

Questions for Professional Reflection on Reader and Task

Considerations:

The questions provided in this resource are meant to spur teacher thought and reflection upon the text, students, and any tasks associated with the text.

The questions included here are largely open-ended questions without single, correct answers, but help educators to think through the implications of using a particular text in the classroom.

Step 3: Reader and Task Considerations

What aspects of the text will likely pose the most challenge for my students?

• Content or theme concerns or challenges?

• Text structure challenges?

• Language feature challenges?

• Knowledge and experience demands?

• Motivation for and interest in the text?

Step 3: Reader and Task Considerations

What Common Core State Standards should I focus on when teaching this text?

• What are natural areas of focus for this text?

• With what standards do my students need the most practice?

Will the complexity of any before, during and after reading tasks or the complexity of any questions asked about the text interfere with the reading experience?

What supports do I need to provide so that all of my students (even those who are struggling readers) can access the text?

Step 3: Reader and Task Considerations

How Should Instruction Address Text Complexity?

RA! RA! RA! Reading!

Read Aloud

Modeling of decoding and fluency

Heavy scaffolding for vocabulary and comprehension

Read Along

Some scaffolding, as needed, for decoding,

fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension

Read Alone

Independent, autonomous reading

Little to no scaffolding

Te

ac

he

r S

ca

ffo

ldin

g

Gradual Release of Responsibility (I do, we do, you do)…

St

ud

en

t A

ut

on

om

y

Based upon our examination of the Reader and Task Considerations, we have completed the third leg of the text complexity model and are now ready to recommend a final placement within a text complexity band.

Step 3: Reader and Task Considerations

Step 4: Recommended Placement

After reflecting upon all three legs of the text complexity model we can make a final recommendation of placement within a text and begin to document our thinking for future reference.

Step 4: Recommended Placement

Lexile Text Measure:

ATOS Book Level:

870L

5.6

Based upon all the information—all three legs of the model—the final recommendation for To Kill a Mockingbird…

Step 4: Recommended Placement

In this instance, Appendix Bconfirms our evaluation of the novel. To Kill a Mockingbird is placed within the grade 9-10 text complexity band.

Step 4: Recommended Placement

Template for Text Complexity Analysis and Recommended

Placement Form:

The one-page template provides an opportunity to record the thinking involved in recommending the placement of a specific text into a text complexity band.

Keeping a record of such analysis and thinking might be useful documentation in the case that any questions arise in the future.

Step 4: Recommended Placement

Additional Resources

• Text complexity bookmark

• “Beginner’s Guide to Text Complexity” from New York City Dept. of Education

• Example final recommendation forms:• The Hunger Games• How to Steal a Dog• The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate• A Separate Peace• Diamond Willow• Extraordinary Mark Twain

• Candy Bomber• Where Things Come Back• Why We Broke Up• Moon Over Manifest • Zora and Me

Matt Copeland

Kansas State Department of Education

(785) 296-5060

mcopeland@ksde.org